sail drives any reservations

[robyonfrome]

Just sold my boat and moving from the dark side, mixed emotions after 8 years but with the price of fuel. Looking at a Hunter 32, 2004 with sail drive, is there any known problems to look out for or is it better to go for something with a straight shaft drive.

 

[apward]

Saildrive

Check with your insurance Co. Some will require you to change the diaphragm at about the age of the Hunter you're looking at. They hardly ever fail, but if the insurers want it changed then it's a gearbox out job. Not difficult to do, if you're fit and mechanically minded, but get the seller to either do it, or drop the price to reflect that it might have to be done.

Otherwise, change and check the oil regularly and check that the seal on the props shaft isn't leaking.

www.sailingmiles.com

 

[Tranona]

Apart from the possibility of a diaphragm change (roughly £800 if you get a dealer to do it) check oil is clear and no leaks from bottom seals. Anodes need regular replacement but varies according to your mooring location. Some folding props eat anodes as well. Saildrives are generally quieter and smoother than shaft drive. They have been in use for well over 30 years so are a proven product.

 

[GlennG]

Hunter 32, 2004 with sail drive, is there any known problems to look out for or is it better to go for something with a straight shaft drive.

Using a sail drive is somewhat different than a shaft drive as there's generally a lot more distance between the prop and the rudder. This means you've a lot less sideways motion when manoeuvring in close quarters. There's also less prop walk as the propeller's deeper under the hull and further forwards -- prop walk can be really useful to exploit in astern.

The sail drive can also be more prominent so could catch passing ropes, lobster pots, anchor lines, etc. Similarly when lifting out ensure there's a clearly marked sling point.

 

[alant]

Using a sail drive is somewhat different than a shaft drive as there's generally a lot more distance between the prop and the rudder. This means you've a lot less sideways motion when manoeuvring in close quarters. There's also less prop walk as the propeller's deeper under the hull and further forwards -- prop walk can be really useful to exploit in astern.

The sail drive can also be more prominent so could catch passing ropes, lobster pots, anchor lines, etc. Similarly when lifting out ensure there's a clearly marked sling point.

Think you should change "could catch" to 'will definitely catch'!

 

[Tranona]

Think you should change "could catch" to 'will definitely catch'!

Less vulnerable than stern gear using a P bracket as it is usually close to the back of the keel.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Think you should change "could catch" to 'will definitely catch'!

I've only once ever had a rope around a prop, it was shaft drive and a good job of it I did! The rope wound itself between the P bracket and the prop, this pulled the engine backward, the mountings tearing out of both sides of the ZF (cast ally) gearbox and before the engine stopped the P bracket was on its way out of the hull.

I have had incidents apparently with my saildrive, the only evidence being a slightly damaged cutter blade on the rope cutter.

 

[johnalison]

I doubt if there are any statistics about it but if anything I would expect a saildrive to be rather less prone to picking up rope or net because the prop is deeper in the water. I sail & motor about 2000m/year and have had one incident, picking up a net, in 12 years with my current saildrive. The deeper prop is also an advantage when motoring into a head sea as it seldom loses its bite.

There are pros and cons regarding saildrive and I don't think it is a critical matter when choosing a boat. For a smallish boat, the smoother running is a definite advantage, as well as a guaranteed dry interface.

 

[robyonfrome]

thanks guys a useful insight, I have had second thoughts as it draws 4'3" with bilge which would be very limiting on the river frome, so it could be a lifting keel job

 

[doug748]

Could have been a lucky escape.
It seems fishing line can see off saildrive seals and now this little lot:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306929

 

[Tranona]

Could have been a lucky escape.
It seems fishing line can see off saildrive seals and now this little lot:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306929

Fitting a rope cutter deals with the fishing line (and have you seen the damage that ropes can do to conventional stern gear?). Failure of the drive is rare, and is no more expensive to replace than a gearbox and centional stern gear.

By having you saildrive (which, BTW are not new having been around for over 30 years) you avoid the endless stream of problems people have with conventional drives (repoerted here daily almos) of vibration, poor alignment, worn bearings, bent shafts, leaky stern seals, bent and loose P brackets, prop walk and so on. All the time you have a saildrive you are benefitting from greater refinement, more efficient use of space and lack of prop walk.

What is there not to like?

 

[doug748]

.....

What is there not to like?

What is there not to like?

I would say the 3 1/2 big ones you had to spend to get yours fixed. You highroller, it's the price of an engine.

Anyway, thanks for that. I was gently getting used to the idea of saildrives.

 

[Tranona]

What is there not to like?

I would say the 3 1/2 big ones you had to spend to get yours fixed. You highroller, it's the price of an engine.

Anyway, thanks for that. I was gently getting used to the idea of saildrives.

You have to put it into perspective. Just cost up a replacement gearbox and stern gear for a conventional drive and you will not be that far away.

Unfortunate mine failed, but as I have not told you the reason it is not a good base for raising a general argument.

Despite my experience I would still choose a saildrive as the benefits still outweigh the disadvantages. And after more than 30 years around marine engines I have seen my fair share of what can go wrong with all types.

 

[photodog]

i tend towards them being a benign influence... its the big bill every seven years...(In theory...) to replace the seal thats a bit of a bugger..

 

[doug748]

You have to put it into perspective. Just cost up a replacement gearbox and stern gear for a conventional drive and you will not be that far away..

I bet richardbrennen feels he is a fair way away, facing a bill for 8 grand to replace the lot on a 33 foot boat.

Just about enough to fit two engines and propshafts.

 

[Tranona]

I bet richardbrennen feels he is a fair way away, facing a bill for 8 grand to replace the lot on a 33 foot boat.

Just about enough to fit two engines and propshafts.

You are flogging a dead horse here. Hopefully he will not have to pay anywhere near that amount, and where can you get two 30hp engines installed for £8k?

Think you live in a different world from everybody else, just making up figures to suit your rather pointless argument.

 

[doug748]

Ah, a £3,000 plus bill on a seven year old boat might be a trifle to you, but I suspect it is the sort of information the Origial Poster was looking for.

Still everyone is different. If I had been lumbered with that expense I would have wanted everyone to know about it.

 

[Tranona]

Making up things again. Richard's boat is 14 years old and mine was 10 - and done more work in those 10 years than most private boats do in a lifetime. Out continuously 25 weeks a year with a different skipper each week. Stood up pretty well to the abuse - you are welcome to inspect my boat at any time if you want to see how well a simple robust boat stands up.

Cannot understand why you continually try to make issues out of things you clearly know little about.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Just to add a little balance, Doug you are misunderstanding the potential cost of a rope around any prop, saildrive or shaft. In my earlier post:

"I've only once ever had a rope around a prop, it was shaft drive and a good job of it I did! The rope wound itself between the P bracket and the prop, this pulled the engine backward, the mountings tearing out of both sides of the ZF (cast ally) gearbox and before the engine stopped the P bracket was on its way out of the hull."

The total repair bill on this was over £3k and that was over 14 years ago.

 

[doug748]

.....

Cannot understand why you continually try to make issues out of things you clearly know little about.

Now you are having a paddy.

I am sorry you feel I am making things up , this is what you said on another post:

"The cones had seized on mine - legacy of 7 years of chartering! "

I have a little list of self appointed windbags from these pages. I don't want to put your name on there, but you are on the case.

There it must lie. At least the OP got his answer in the end.